QuickCheck: Is the Genting Sempah tunnel the first highway tunnel in Malaysia?

A file picture of the Genting Sempah tunnel.

THE Genting Sempah tunnel, along the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, is often used by motorists travelling between states on the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. Is it the first highway tunnel in Malaysia?

VERDICT:

TRUE

Yes, it was our country’s first highway tunnel, opened for the first time to motorists on Jan 7, 1978.

The tunnel was constructed at a cost of RM1.4mil and was launched by the then Works and Public Amenities Minister Datuk Abdul Ghani Gilong.

Spanning 950m in length, the tunnel connects Gombak in Selangor with Genting Sempah in Pahang, cutting through the Titiwangsa mountain range.

"It was initially a two-lane tunnel, but more tunnels were added in 1995 when there were works to upgrade the highway to a four-lane expressway," reads an explanation on the National Archives of Malaysia website.

Today, the tunnel is frequented by motorists daily and serves as an important link for travellers.

Reference:

1. www.arkib.gov.my/web/guest/terowong-lebuhraya-pertama-malaysia